Lude Generation

Hi guys.

Ok, so story is as follows.

A few weeks back, we had a Accord Type R come in with a horrendous noise from the engine. We instantly diagnosed it as a failed auto tensioner, (at this time my master tech was adamant these never fail ). He then told us that it was replaced around 14k ago/2 years. To cut a long story short, it was evident that's it was not replaced and infact, the garage that did the work ripped they guy off

So we got on with the job of replacing it, along with new belts ect. I took the time today to actually see what part of the tensioner failed. So I will run through some pics. . . . . .

So here is the tensioner. I started by taking off the cap along with its boot. . . . .


That uncovers this . . . . . The retaining plate that is held in with a snap ring . . .


Just to add, this tensioner had completely failed, the adjusting shaft was floppy . . . . .


Remove the snap ring . . . . .


Pull out the adjuster shaft assy . . . .


Then inside the body I found the route cause of why these tensioners fail . . . .


This spring is wound against tension when it is set, then set to a pre determined setting at the factory. Then when you pull the retaining bracket off, the tension of the spring will equalize with the tension of the cam belt by spinning the adjuster shaft on a thread. We decided that this is the only way these can fail IMO, even when they loose there oil it should still function, (this still was full of oil). This is the cause of fatigue of the spring, failure then no retention of the adjuster shaft.

All the parts together . . . .


Thought it might interest you guys as to the inner workings/failure reasons for this part.

Cheers

Interesting
never seem one taken apart....
Honda did revise the autotensioner for the prelude around late 94 i think due to failures on early vtec models.
I agree with you tho - most failures now will be due to incorrect handling ie/not using the holder/bracket

I wonder if they revised it for the ATR then . In my honest opinion, these should not be re used. The way I see it, is that the spring is under tension for the period of time it is, heat, vibration ect. Then it's undone when you take it off, then wound back up to re tension the belt, all in all weakening the spring But that's my opinion

Edit : yes, we think this was damaged due to the back street garage not setting/handling it properly

Ive had an auto tensioner fail or rather the Honda garage had a failure when they road tested it after fitting new cam belt - they fitted the revised one and it lasted about a decade - when i went to fit new cambelt myself i changed over to he H23 manual tensioner
i would have thought Honda would have sorted out any problems with these way before the ATR

The ATR ones can fail as well. Many owners have fitted manual tensioners.

Sailor wrote:The ATR ones can fail as well. Many owners have fitted manual tensioners.

This tensioner IS off an ATR.

Thats back street garages for you, all always out to rip people off. Incidentally I do a lot of work for the ford main dealer opposite my back street garage that the "master technician" at ford cant do and his plain old technitions can't do either due to not being a mechanic. Im a mechanic and I repair cars in a back street garage. Any make any model any problem I can fix with no main dealer training just common sense and experience. Oh and my reputation is more important than ripping people off for a few extra quid. My experience is the small independent has to keep a good reputation to keep the work coming in where as the main dealer or stealer as a lot of people like to call them get work from warranties and after sales servicing. Just an example of main dealer rip offs is a job I did for a main dealer and charged £25 for was invoiced to the customer for £120 , we all have to make a living but thats a hell of an administration fee.
not all back street garages are out to rip people off.
mini rant over and smile

RattyMcClelland wrote:

Sailor wrote:The ATR ones can fail as well. Many owners have fitted manual tensioners.

This tensioner IS off an ATR.

Oops!

Sorry Ted, hey i should of been more specific It Was a garage around my way. I understand ur point, and completely agree there chap. In fact, i know alot of smaller garages that are fantastic at what they do. So don't take it the wrong way please mate

Don't mind him - he is Welsh, after all...